Army Chief Prayuth calls for calm protests during long holiday

BANGKOK, 14 February 2014 Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has called for peaceful protests during the long holiday weekend, as the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) is planning to march through Bangkok streets.

As the PDRC has called for thousands to take to the streets during the long holidays, Gen Prayuth has urged all sides to tread carefully and refrain from using violence, adding that the military is determined to stay neutral in the crisis.

The PDRC protesters urged supporters to come out in force over the weekend in an attempt to topple the Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra-led government.

As February 14 marks both Valentine’s Day and Magha Puja Day, the army chief said he wanted to see love, unity, and forgiveness in the country, reiterating that the army would act according to the law and not take sides.